Largely working behind the scenes, the Greater Taunton Charitable Association has provided services for those in need and lent support to other local charities for the past 17 years.

While there are plenty of worthy national and worldwide charitable causes, the Greater Taunton Charitable Association’s focus is on the local community.

"Our philosophy is, ‘Let’s help the people who are here, people who fall through the cracks,’" board Vice President Ed Correira said.

Although the group holds large public events such as "Stuff the Bus" and "Family Fun Day," its members are constantly working throughout the year collecting clothing for the needy. The Greater Taunton Charitable Association distributes clothing monthly at the Coyle and Cassidy High School food pantry and at St. Thomas Church.

"We get a tremendous amount of help from everybody," board member Janet Malloch said. "Every Monday night we meet and sort clothes."

While big events can be effective, Malloch said she believes there is a need for a constant effort to help others throughout the entire year.

"People don’t just wear clothes once or twice a year," she said.

Malloch is also currently collecting items for a yard sale in late July. Proceeds from the yard sale and other fundraisers, she said, will be used to purchase personal clothing items such as socks and undergarments.

"She cooperates with other charities to make sure no one’s left out," board President Dan Moriarty said of Malloch.

The Greater Taunton Charitable Association meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Taunton Polish-American Club. Meetings are always open to new members.

Leading up to Thanksgiving each year, the group holds "Stuff the Bus" at Market Basket. Customers going into the store are encouraged to purchase extra food to load into a bus parked outside. The food is then distributed to needy families for Thanksgiving.

"It’s amazing how generous people are," Correira said.

The organization also teams up each year with the city’s Park and Recreation Department to help organize an annual Easter egg hunt.

The group’s next fundraising event will be a professional wrestling exhibition on July 30 at 7 p.m. at the Taunton Lodge of Elks.

The Greater Taunton Charitable Association will also run the concession stand at the Watson Pond Regatta Sept. 10-11. A venison dinner in February is another annual fundraising event for the organization. For the past three years, the association also has held a charity motorcycle run.

All funds the association raises are used to support services for those in need, Moriarty said.

"We’re touching people directly," he said. "It’s not going through an anonymous charity somewhere."